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Our Mission

Benedictine University is an inclusive academic community dedicated to teaching and learning, scholarship and service, truth and justice, as inspired by the Catholic intellectual tradition, the social teaching of the Church, and the principles of wisdom in the Rule of St. Benedict.

Our Vision

Benedictine University aspires to be a thought leader in Catholic higher education. We seek to provide a transformative and integrative educational experience grounded in Benedictine values, helping students shape lives of meaning and purpose as engaged citizens who care for the earth, welcome people of diverse faiths and cultures, and promote the common good.

Current Research Projects
My central research questions revolve around how abiotic factors influence the physiology, behavior, and habitat preferences of ectothermic vertebrates (particularly reptiles and amphibians), with applications to their conservation and management. I collaborate with the Loyola University Chicago Herpetology Lab (Milanovich Lab), to study the effects of land-use and climate change on, and the ecological role of, amphibians and reptiles – in both natural and urban ecosystems. on these research topics. Some current projects include:

Evaluating the health and physiology of threatened Blanding’s turtles: The Milanovich Lab and I are conducting research on the physiological health of captive-reared hatchling and juvenile endangered Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea Blandingii) at captive-rearing programs in the Midwest. This research on the physiology and stress levels of Blanding’s Turtles contributes to the gap in knowledge concerning the effects of captive-rearing efforts on their health and survival and allow for better recommendations regarding captive-rearing procedures. We are currently collaborating with and educating regional stakeholders on potential long-term impacts of head-starting and translocation programs. This project involves undergraduates from Loyola and Benedictine.

Examining the ecology and physiology of Ornate Box Turtles in northern Illinois: With funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, I am collaborating with the Milanovich Lab in examining the characteristics of hibernaculum, home range sizes, blood chemistry, and stable isotopes of ornate box turtles (Terrapene ornata) at three sites in northern Illinois.